Hospital Bed Having Charting Capability

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 18/338,531, filed Jun. 21, 2023, now U.S. Pat. No. XXXXXXXX, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/092,462, filed Nov. 9, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,707,391, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/292,578, filed Oct. 13, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,857,050, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/249,336, filed Sep. 30, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,492,341, which claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e), of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/391,261, filed Oct. 8, 2010, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

The present disclosure relates to patient support apparatuses such as hospital beds. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to patient support apparatuses having graphical user interfaces for viewing data and entering commands.

Patient support apparatus having graphical user interfaces or display screens are known in the art. The graphical user interfaces of hospital beds oftentimes are touch screens that display icons which are used to control functions of the hospital bed or to display information of possible interest to caregivers concerning bed functions and features. See, for example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0235872 A1 which is titled “User Interface for Hospital Bed.” See also U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0172789 A1 which is titled “Patient Support with Improved Control.” While sophisticated beds with graphical display screens are known, a need persists in enhancing the connectivity between hospital beds and other computer systems and applications, such as an electronic medical record (EMR) system, in a healthcare facility.

The present invention comprises one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or the following features which, alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter:

A patient support apparatus, such as a hospital bed, may be provided for use in a healthcare facility which may have an electronic medical record (EMR) system. The hospital bed may include a patient support structure to support a patient, a graphical user interface coupled to the patient support structure, and control circuitry coupled to the graphical user interface. The graphical user interface may display at least one input that may be used by a caregiver to chart data into an electronic medical record (EMR) of a patient supported by the patient support structure.

In some embodiments, the control circuitry may require verification of the caregiver's identity prior to sending data to the EMR system for charting in the patient's EMR. In connection with requiring verification of the caregiver's identity, the control circuitry may display a screen on the graphical display screen that may require the caregiver to enter a personal identification number (PIN) in response to the at least one input being used. Entry of the PIN by the caregiver may provide the verification required by the control circuitry prior to sending data to the EMR system.

Alternatively or additionally, a card reader may be coupled to the control circuitry and the control circuitry may require the caregiver to engage the card reader with an identification (ID) card in response to the at least one input being used. For example, a caregiver may engage the card reader by inserting the ID card in a slot or swiping the ID card through a slot. In any event, engaging the card reader with the ID card by the caregiver may provide the verification required by the control circuitry prior to sending data to the EMR system. The ID card may be of the type having a magnetic strip and the card reader may be a magnetic card reader, for example.

Further alternatively or additionally, a wireless tag reader may be coupled to the control circuitry. The control circuitry may determine whether a wireless tag assigned to the caregiver is in communication with the wireless tag reader in response to the at least one input being used. Thus, communication between the wireless tag and the wireless tag reader may provide the verification required by the control circuitry prior to sending data to the EMR system. Also contemplated by this disclosure as alternative is the use of a biometric sensor that is coupled to the control circuitry and that receives an input that provides the verification required by the control circuitry prior to sending data to the EMR system. In such embodiments, the biometric sensor may comprise one or more fingerprint readers or retinal scanners that are used to identify the caregiver by reading a caregiver's fingerprint (e.g., a thumb print) or by scanning a caregiver's retina.

In some embodiments, the graphical user interface may display a bed status charting icon that may be selectable to display current bed status data that the caregiver may have the option of charting to the patient's EMR. Selection of the bed status charting icon may result in at least one of the following bed status data being displayed on the graphical user interface: an angle of a head section of the patient support structure, whether or not caster brakes of the patient support structure are set, whether or not an upper frame of the patient support structure is in a low position relative to a base of the patient support structure, whether a patient position monitoring system of the hospital bed is armed, and whether a head of bed monitoring system of the hospital bed is armed. The graphical user interface may display a chart button that may be touched to send the current bed status data to the patient's EMR. Alternatively or additionally, the graphical user interface may display a chart button that, when touched, may result in the graphical user interface displaying a confirmation screen which the caregiver may use to confirm that the current bed status data is to be charted to the patient's EMR. The graphical user interface may display a history button that may be touched to access a history of bed status data that has been charted to the patient's EMR previously.

In some embodiments, the graphical user interface may display a vital signs charting icon that may be selectable to display a patient information screen that the caregiver may use to enter the patient's vital signs data for subsequent charting to the patient's EMR. The patient information screen may include fields for entering at least one of the following patient's vital signs data: heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, and temperature. The graphical user interface may display a chart button that may be touched to send the patient's vital signs data to the patient's EMR. Alternatively or additionally, the graphical user interface may display a chart button that, when touched, may result in the graphical user interface displaying a confirmation screen which the caregiver may use to confirm that the patient's vital signs data is to be charted to the patient's EMR. The graphical user interface may display a history button that is touched to access a history of the patient's vital signs data that has been charted to the patient's EMR previously.

In some embodiments, the graphical user interface may display a weigh patient button that may be touched to command the control circuitry to weigh the patient supported on the patient support structure and to display a charting icon that the caregiver has the option of touching to initiate the charting of the patient's weight to the patient's EMR. A history button may be provided on the graphical display screen that may be selected to access a history of the patient's weight that has been charted to the patient's EMR previously.

In some embodiments, the graphical user interface may display a patient activity icon that may be selectable to display an activity screen that may have a menu of patient activities that the caregiver has the option of selecting for charting to the patient's EMR. The menu of patient activities may include, for example, at least one of the following activities: whether the patient is lying on their back, whether the patient is light on their right side, whether the patient is lying on their left side, whether the patient has moved out of the hospital bed and is sitting on a chair, and whether the patient support structure has been moved to a chair position to support the patient in a sitting position. The graphical user interface may display a chart button that may be touched to send patient activities data to the patient's EMR. Alternatively or additionally, the graphical user interface may display a chart button that, when touched, may result in the graphical user interface displaying a confirmation screen which the caregiver may use to confirm that patient activities data is to be charted to the patient's EMR. The graphical user interface may display a history button that may be touched to access a history of the patient activities data that has been charted to the patient's EMR previously.

In some embodiments, the graphical user interface may be used to display contraindications for a patient. For example, the graphical user interface may display at least one of the following: a list of a patient's drug allergies, a list of a patient's food allergies, a contraindication relating to a needle stick, and a contraindication relating to patient egress.

Alternatively or additionally, the graphical user interface may be used to display information regarding a patient's intakes and outputs. The information regarding a patient's intakes may include, for example, at least one of the following: a per cent of the amount of food eaten by a patient during a meal or snack, a volume of liquid consumed by a patient, an amount of eating or drinking assistance provided by a caregiver to a patient, and a time at which a patient ate or drank. The information regarding a patient's outputs may include at least one of the following: an amount of urine output by a patient, an amount of stool output by a patient, an amount of emesis output by a patient, and a time at which a patient output occurred.

In some embodiments, the graphical user interface is used to display a rounding checklist which may have, for example, a list of tasks or functions to be performed by a caregiver. The list of tasks or functions may include one or more of the following: putting siderails up, setting brakes, putting an upper frame of the hospital bed in its lowest position, raising a head section of the hospital bed to a position above 30° of elevation, making sure a pathway to a bathroom is clear, making sure a night light is on, arming a bed exit system, assessing a pain level of a patient, making sure entertainment or nurse call controls are with reach of a patient, checking a patient's vital signs, checking whether IV pump bag or drainage receptacle needs to be replaced or emptied, turning a patient, making sure no trip hazards are present in a room, checking or changing bandages, checking to see if a patient needs drinking water, and checking to see if a patient needs to go to a bathroom.

In some embodiments, the graphical user interface is used to display a list of procedures which, in turn, each may include a list of steps of the associated procedure. In some contemplated embodiments, the graphical user interface is used to link to video clips which demonstrate on the graphical user interface at least a portion of a procedure. For example, a video clip of each step of a procedure may be shown on the graphical user interface.

According to this disclosure, the graphical user interface may be used to show information about network connectivity and/or information about a patient that is likely to be associated with the hospital bed. In such embodiments, a button or icon may be provided on the graphical user interface for selection by a caregiver to accept association of the patient with the hospital bed.

Additional features, which alone or in combination with any other feature(s), such as those listed above and those listed in the claims, may comprise patentable subject matter and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the embodiments as presently perceived.

A patient support apparatus, such as illustrative hospital bed, includes a patient support structure such as a framethat supports a surface or mattressas shown in. As compared to prior art beds, bedincludes electronic medical record (EMR) charting capability that permits information or data to be charted into a patient's EMR via commands entered on bedwithout the need for subsequent confirmatory actions by personnel at separate or remote computers. The screens shown inrelate to the entry of data from bedinto a patient's EMR.show some details of one possible bedhaving EMR charting capability. However, this disclosure is applicable to other types of patient support apparatuses, including other types of beds, surgical tables, examination tables, stretchers, and the like.

Referring now to, bedhas a framewhich includes a base, an upper frame assemblyand a lift systemcoupling upper frame assemblyto base. Lift systemis operable to raise, lower, and tilt upper frame assemblyrelative to base. Bedhas a head endand a foot end. Hospital bedfurther includes a footboardat the foot endand a headboardat the head end. Illustrative bedincludes a pair of push handlescoupled to an upstanding portionof baseat the head endof bed. Headboardis coupled to upstanding portionof base as well. Foot boardis coupled to upper frame assembly. Baseincludes wheels or castersthat roll along floor (not shown) as bedis moved from one location to another. A set of foot pedalsare coupled to baseand are used to brake and release casters.

Illustrative hospital bedhas four siderail assemblies coupled to upper frame assemblyas shown in. The four siderail assemblies include a pair of head siderail assemblies(sometimes referred to as head rails) and a pair of foot siderail assemblies(sometimes referred to as foot rails). Each of the siderail assembliesandis movable between a raised position, as shown in, and a lowered position (not shown). Siderail assemblies,are sometimes referred to herein as siderails,. Each siderail,includes a barrier paneland a linkage. Each linkageis coupled to the upper frame assemblyand is configured to guide the barrier panelduring movement of siderails,between the respective raised and lowered positions. Barrier panelis maintained by the linkagein a substantially vertical orientation during movement of siderails,between the respective raised and lowered positions.

Upper frame assemblyincludes a lift frame, a weigh framesupported with respect to lift frame, and a patient support deck. Patient support deckis carried by weigh frameand engages a bottom surface of mattress. Patient support deckincludes a head section, a seat section, a thigh sectionand a foot sectionin the illustrative example as shown inand as shown diagrammatically in. Sections,,are each movable relative to weigh frame. For example, head sectionpivotably raises and lowers relative to seat sectionwhereas foot sectionpivotably raises and lowers relative to thigh section. Additionally, thigh sectionarticulates relative to seat section. Also, in some embodiments, foot sectionis extendable and retractable to change the overall length of foot sectionand therefore, to change the overall length of deck. For example, foot sectionincludes a main portionand an extensionin some embodiments as shown diagrammatically in.

In the illustrative embodiment, seat sectionis fixed in position with respect to weigh frameas patient support deckmoves between its various patient supporting positions including a horizontal position, shown in, to support the patient in a supine position, for example, and a chair position (not shown) to support the patient in a sitting up position. In other embodiments, seat sectionalso moves relative to weigh frame, such as by pivoting and/or translating. Of course, in those embodiments in which seat sectiontranslates along upper frame, the thigh and foot sections,also translate along with seat section. As bedmoves from the bed position to the chair position, foot sectionlowers relative to thigh sectionand shortens in length due to retraction of the extensionrelative to main portion. As bedmoves from the chair position to the bed position, foot sectionraises relative to thigh sectionand increases in length due to extension of the extension relative to main portion. Thus, in the chair position, head sectionextends upwardly from weigh frameand foot section extends downwardly from thigh section.

As shown diagrammatically in, bedincludes a head motor or actuatorcoupled to head section, a knee motor or actuatorcoupled to thigh section, a foot motor or actuatorcoupled to foot section, and a foot extension motor or actuatorcoupled to foot extension. Motors,,,may include, for example, an electric motor of a linear actuator. In those embodiments in which seat sectiontranslates along upper frameas mentioned above, a seat motor or actuator (not shown) is also provided. Head motoris operable to raise and lower head section, knee motoris operable to articulate thigh sectionrelative to seat section, foot motoris operable to raise and lower foot sectionrelative to thigh section, and foot extension motoris operable to extend and retract extensionof foot sectionrelative to main portionof foot section.

In some embodiments, bedincludes a pneumatic systemthat controls inflation and deflation of various air bladders or cells (some of which are shown diagrammatically as icons in) of mattress. The pneumatic systemis represented inas a single block but that blockis intended to represent one or more air sources (e.g., a fan, a blower, a compressor) and associated valves, manifolds, air passages, air lines or tubes, pressure sensors, and the like, as well as the associated electric circuitry, that are typically included in a pneumatic system for inflating and deflating air bladders of mattresses.

As also shown diagrammatically in, lift systemof bedincludes one or more elevation system motors or actuators, which in some embodiments, comprise linear actuators with electric motors. Thus, actuatorsare sometimes referred to herein as motors. Alternative actuators or motors contemplated by this disclosure include hydraulic cylinders and pneumatic cylinders, for example. The motorsof lift systemare operable to raise, lower, and tilt upper frame assemblyrelative to base. In the illustrative embodiment, one of motorsis coupled to, and acts upon, a set of head end lift armsand another of motorsis coupled to, and acts upon, a set of foot end lift armsto accomplish the raising, lowering and tilting functions of upper framerelative to base. Guide linksare coupled to baseand to lift armsin the illustrative example as shown in. Lift system of bedis substantially similar to the lift system of the VERSACARE® bed available from Hill-Rom Company, Inc. Other aspects of bedare also substantially similar to the VERSACARE® bed and are described in more detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,658,680; 6,611,979; 6,691,346; 6,957,461; and 7,296,312, each of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

In the illustrative example, bedhas four foot pedalscoupled to baseas shown in. Foot pedalis used to raise upper frame assemblyrelative to base, foot pedalis used to lower frame assemblyrelative to base, foot pedalis used to raise head sectionrelative to frame, and foot pedalis used to lower head sectionrelative to frame. In other embodiments, foot pedals-are omitted.

Each of siderailsincludes a first user control panelcoupled to the outward side of the associated barrier paneland each of siderailsinclude a second user control panelcoupled to the outward side of the associated barrier panel. Controls panels,include various buttons that are used by a caregiver (not shown) to control associated functions of bed. For example, control panelincludes buttons that are used to operate head motorto raise and lower the head section, buttons that are used to operate knee motor to raise and lower the thigh section, and buttons that are used to operate motorsto raise, lower, and tilt upper frame assemblyrelative to base. In the illustrative embodiment, control panelincludes buttons that are used to operate motorto raise and lower foot sectionand buttons that are used to operate motorto extend and retract foot extensionrelative to main portion. In some embodiments, the buttons of control panels,comprise membrane switches.

As shown diagrammatically in, bedincludes control circuitrythat is electrically coupled to motors,,,and to motorsof lift system. Control circuitryis represented diagrammatically as a single blockin, but control circuitryin some embodiments comprises various circuit boards, electronics modules, and the like that are electrically and communicatively interconnected. Control circuitryincludes one or more microprocessorsor microcontrollers that execute software to perform the various control functions and algorithms described herein. Thus, circuitryalso includes memoryfor storing software, variables, calculated values, and the like as is well known in the art.

As also shown diagrammatically in, a user inputs block represents the various user inputs such as buttons of control panels,and pedals-for example, that are used by the caregiver or patient to communicate input signals to control circuitryof bedto command the operation of the various motors,,,,of bed, as well as commanding the operation of other functions of bed. Bedincludes at least one graphical user input or display screencoupled to a respective siderailas shown in. Display screenis coupled to control circuitryas shown diagrammatically in. In some embodiments, two graphical user interfacesare provided and are coupled to respective siderails. Alternatively or additionally, one or more graphical user interfaces are coupled to siderailsand/or to one or both of the headboardand footboard. Control circuitryreceives user input commands from graphical display screenas will be described in further detail below with regard to.

According to this disclosure, control circuitryof bedcommunicates with a remote computer devicevia communication infrastructuresuch as an Ethernet of a healthcare facility in which bedis located and via communications links,as shown diagrammatically in. Computer deviceis sometimes simply referred to as a “computer” herein. Remote computeris part of an electronic medical records (EMR) system according to this disclosure. However, it is within the scope of this disclosure for circuitryof bedto communicate with other computers such as those included as part of a nurse call system, a physician ordering system, an admission/discharge/transfer (ADT) system, or some other system used in a healthcare facility in other embodiments. Ethernetinis illustrated diagrammatically and is intended to represent all of the hardware and software that comprises a network of a healthcare facility.

In the illustrative embodiment, bedhas a communication interface or portwhich provides bidirectional communication via linkwith infrastructurewhich, in turn, communicates bidirectionally with computervia link. Linkis a wired communication link in some embodiments and is a wireless communications link in other embodiments. Thus, communications link, in some embodiments, comprises a cable that connects bedto a wall mounted jack that is included as part of a bed interface unit (BIU) or a network interface unit (NIU) of the type shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,538,659 and 7,319,386 and in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2009/0217080 A1, 2009/0212925 A1 and 2009/0212926 A1, each of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. In other embodiments, communications linkcomprises wireless signals sent between bedand a wireless interface unit of the type shown and described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0210917 A1 which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. Communications linkcomprises one or more wired links and/or wireless links as well according to this disclosure.

As mentioned above, bedincludes EMR charting capability so that information can be charted into a patient's EMR via commands entered on bedwithout the need for subsequent confirmatory actions by personnel at remote computers. In some embodiments contemplated by this disclosure, subsequent confirmatory actions may be required at EMR system computerprior to entry of data into a patient's EMR. However, systems in which information is charted or stored in a patient's EMR via caregiver actions at bedwithout the need for subsequent actions at remote computerby the same or a different caregiver is seen as being more efficient.

In the description ofthat follows, screens that appear on graphical user interfaceare discussed. The images and functions associated with each of these screens are controlled by the software that is stored in memory, such as memoryshown diagrammatically in, and executed by a microprocessor or microcontroller, such as microprocessorshown diagrammatically in. In some implementations, multiple microprocessors or microcontrollers and multiple memory devices are used in connection with displaying the various screens on graphical user interfaceand carrying out the various functions associated with those screens. For example, in some embodiments, graphical user interfaceincludes its own display driver circuitry that includes its own microprocessor or microcontroller and its own memory. Thus, software is stored in multiple memory locations in some embodiments and is executed by associated microprocessors or microcontrollers to perform the overall functionality discussed below.

Referring now to, an example of a Main Menu screenthat appears on the graphical user interfaceas a default screen is shown. Screenincludes a Main Menu tabwhich is associated with screen. Screenalso has a Scale tab, an Alarms tab, a Surface tab, a Charting tab, a Tools tab, and a Help tab. Tabs,,,,,,are selected or touched to call up an associated screen or set of screens. Thus, when navigating on screens associated with tabs,,,,,, the user simply selects tabif the user wishes to return to the Main Menu screen. In addition to the details provided herein, further details of graphical user interfaceand the screens that appear thereon can be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0235872 A1 which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

Main menu screenincludes an Active Alarms fieldin which any alarms associated with bedare listed. In the illustrative example, there are no alarm conditions occurring with respect to bedand so fieldis empty. A Bed Info fieldappears on screenbeneath fieldand displays information such as the head angle of bed(i.e., the angle at which head sectionis raised with respect to frameor with respect to horizontal depending upon the type of angle sensor used). Bedincludes an angle sensorwhich is coupled to head sectionand to control circuitryas shown diagrammatically in. Examples of suitable angle sensors include, for example, potentiometers, inclinometers, ball switches, and accelerometers, just to name a few. In the illustrative example of, the head angle is 0°.

In the Bed Info fieldof screenthere is also a line of text that indicates that nurse call alerting is turned off. That is, for the particular bed, no bed conditions are being monitored by a remote nurse call system for alerting caregivers of any alarm conditions. In the given example, the line of text states “NaviCare OFF.” The term NaviCare in fieldrefers to the NAVICARE® Nurse Call (NNC) system available from Hill-Rom Company, Inc. In some embodiments, the ability of bedto chart information to the EMR systemis independent of whether bedis connected to a nurse call system and is independent of whether, if connected, the alerting functions of bedto the nurse call system are turned on or off. In other embodiments, bedmay communicate with the EMR systemvia a nurse call system, ADT system, or other system and therefore, connectivity to the intermediate system or systems is required in those particular embodiments.

Screenalso has a Surface Status fieldthat conveys information about the status of mattress. In the illustrative example, fieldindicates that a rotation therapy feature of mattressis off and that a percussion and vibration (P&V) feature of mattressis off. Screen further has a Surface mode fieldthat conveys information about the mode in which mattressis operating. In the illustrative example, the surfaceis operating in the normal mode. Other modes include, for example, a pressure redistribution mode, a max-inflate mode, a right turn mode, a left turn mode, and a seat deflate mode. Screenhas a bed iconthat visually conveys further information about bedin some embodiments. For example, there are four siderails of iconare color coded red to indicate that the respective siderail has been lowered and indicia appears on a mattress portion of iconto indicate different types of surface therapy or mode information.

If a caregiver selects or touches Charting tab, a Log In screen or pop-up window, an example of which appears in, appears on the graphical user interface. Screenhas user inputs and fields that are used by the caregiver to verify their identity as being a person authorized to chart data to the EMR system. For example, in the illustrative embodiment, screenincludes a fieldwith the text “Please enter PIN” to prompt the caregiver to use a numeric keyboardhaving buttons corresponding to integers 0-9 to type a personal identification number (PIN). As the caregiver uses keyboardto type the associated PIN, asterisks appear in a PIN field. Once the entire correct PIN is entered into field, the caregiver touches or selects an OK button or iconand a Charting Home screen, an example of which is shown in, appears on graphical user interface. If a user selects a Cancel buttonon screen, then Main Menu screenis displayed on graphical user interface. Keyboardincludes a C buttonthat is pressed to clear the PIN being entered into field. Thus, buttonis used if the caregiver makes an inadvertent error while typing his or her PIN into field.

While the illustrative embodiment uses a PIN that is typed on Log In screento verify that a caregiver is authorized to chart data to EMR system, other possibilities for verifying the caregiver's identity are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, bedincludes a token reader that reads a token in some embodiments. One type of token is a card with a magnetic strip and one type of token reader is a magnetic card reader which is engaged by the card, such as by swiping the card through a slot or by inserting the card into a slot or opening. Another type of token is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and another type of token reader is an RFID tag reader. The RFID tag and associated RFID tag reader include transmitters, receivers, and/or transceivers that are appropriately arranged for communicating with each other. To give one example, bedhas an RFID transceiver that sends out a wireless signal that, if received by an RFID tag in proximity to the transceiver, responds with a wireless message including a unique code associated with the RFID tag. The unique code of the RFID tag is associated with an assigned caregiver and is used to verify the identity of the caregiver in proximity to the bed.

Another alternative to the use of a PIN typed on Log In screenfor caregiver identification is the use of a biometric sensor that is coupled to the control circuitryand that receives an input that provides the verification required by the control circuitryprior to sending data to the EMR system. In such embodiments, the biometric sensor may comprise one or more fingerprint readers or retinal scanners that are used to identify the caregiver by reading a caregiver's fingerprint (e.g., a thumb print) or by scanning a caregiver's retina. The biometric sensor is mounted on one or both siderailsadjacent the associated display screenin some embodiments, but the biometric sensor may just as well be mounted on some other portion of bedsuch as the head board, foot board, one or both of siderails, or on an arm, pole, or pod that extends upwardly from upper frame, for example.

Referring to, Charting Home screen, which appears on graphical user interfaceafter the user has successfully verified their identity using the Log In screenas discussed above, has a dynamic fieldconveying information regarding the patient, the doctor and nurse assigned to the patient, the bed serial number of the patient's bed, and the patient's room assignment. In the illustrative example, the patient is Jane Wilmington, the patient's doctor is Dr. August, the primary caregiver currently assigned to the patient is Rob Butler, RN, the bed serial number is, and the patient's room assignment is roomA. The information concerning the patient's name, the room location, the patient's doctor and assigned caregiver are retrieved from remote computer devices, such as those of the EMR systemor another system, such as a nurse call system, an ADT system, or the like. In some embodiments, screens are presented on graphical user interfaceto enable a caregiver to verify the information in field, particularly, to verify the identity of the patient. The patient's name is displayed in a coded format, such as a HIPAA compliant format, in some embodiments.

Still referring to, Charting Home screenhas a Bed Status icon, a Patient Info icon, and an Activity icon. In response to the caregiver selecting Bed Status icon, a Bed Status screen is displayed on graphical user interface. Depending upon the status of various bed features, the Bed Status screen will convey different types of information. In the present disclosure, five examples of a Bed Status screenare provided in, respectively. Each Bed Status screenhas a partial bed indicialocated beneath a line of textindicating “Current Bed Status” and indicating the room number, “101A” in the illustrative example. Partial bed indiciaincludes a head angle alarm status bubble, a current head angle read out field, a caster brake status bubble, an elevation system status bubble, and a patient position monitoring (PPM) system status bubble.

Referring to, the first example of a Bed Status screenis shown. In the first example, head angle alarm status bubbleindicates that a head angle alarm feature of bedis armed and current head angle read out fieldindicates that the head sectionof bedis at 33° which is not below the 30° threshold of the head angle alarm system in the illustrative example. Thus, head sectionof bedis raised sufficiently that a head of bed angle alarm condition does not exist in connection with the screenexample. Also on screencaster brake status bubbleindicates that the caster brakes are set, elevation system status bubbleindicates that upper frame assemblyis in its lowest position relative to base, and PPM system status bubbleindicates that the PPM system is turned off.

Referring to, the second example of a Bed Status screenis shown. In the second example, head angle alarm status bubbleindicates that the head angle alarm feature of bedis armed and current head angle read out fieldindicates that the head sectionof bedis at 27° which is below the 30° threshold of the head angle alarm system in the illustrative example. Thus, head sectionof bedis not raised sufficiently which means that a bed angle alarm condition exists in connection with the screenexample. Because of the head angle alarm condition, bubbleis color coded (indicated by cross hatching in), such as being colored yellow or red, for example, to visually indicate the alarm condition. Also on screen, caster brake status bubbleindicates that the caster brakes are set, elevation system status bubbleindicates that upper frame assemblyis not in its lowest position relative to baseand so is color coded to indicate the alarm condition, and PPM system status bubbleindicates that the PPM system is turned off.

Referring to, the third, fourth and fifth examples of a Bed Status screenare each the same as the first example of Bed Status screenexcept that PPM system status bubblehas a different icon in each of screensthan in screento indicate a respective mode in which the PPM system of bedis armed. In the illustrative examples, the PPM system of bedis armed in an Exiting mode in connection with screenas indicated by an Exiting mode iconappearing in bubblein, the PPM system of bedis armed in an Out-of-Bed mode in connection with screenas indicated by an Out-of-Bed mode iconappearing in bubblein, and the PPM system of bedis armed in an Patient Portion mode in connection with screenas indicated by a Patient Position mode iconappearing in bubblein.

Bedincludes a scale systemas shown diagrammatically in. Scale systemincludes one or more weight sensors that are indicative of the weight of the patient on bed. In some embodiments, the scale system includes four load cells (e.g., load beams with strain gages) that interconnect lift framewith weigh frameadjacent the four corners of frame. In addition to sensing an amount of weight of the patient, the data from the sensors of scale systemis also used by control circuitryto determine the patient's position relative to mattressand/or upper frame assembly. Thus, in the illustrative example, data from the sensors of weigh scale systemis compared to thresholds associated with the Exiting, Out-of-Bed, and Patient Position modes of the PPM system to determine if an alarm condition exists. Examples of scale systems used on hospital beds are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,610,637; 7,253,366; 7,176,391; 6,924,441; 6,680,443; and 5,859,390, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. See particularly U.S. Pat. No. 7,253,366 for a discussion of a load cell based PPM system having Exiting, Out-of-Bed, and Patient Position modes.

The Bed Status screen includes a Chart button or icon, a View History button or icon, and a Back button or iconas shown in. The Bed Status screen also has bed iconthat is substantially similar to bed iconof screenand that visually conveys further information about bedin some embodiments as also shown in. In response to selection of Back buttonon the Bed Status screen, the Charting Home screenis displayed on graphical user interfacewithout any of the bed status data on the Bed Status screen being charted or sent to the EMR system. In response to selection of the View History buttonon the Bed Status screen, a Bed Status History screen, an example of which is shown in, appears on graphical user interface. Screenis discussed in further detail below.

In response to selection of Chart buttonon the Bed Status screen, a Charting Confirmation pop up windowappears on the graphical user interfaceas shown in. Windowhas textwhich asks whether the caregiver wants to chart the bed status data appearing in bubbles,,,and read out fieldto the EMR of the associated patient. A Yes button or iconand a No button or iconare provided in window. In response to the selection of No buttonof window, Charting Home screenis once again displayed on graphical user interfaceand none of the bed status data appearing on the Bed Status screen is charted or sent to the EMR system.

In response to the selection of Yes buttonof window, the bed status data appearing in bubbles,,,and read out fieldis charted to the EMR of the associated patient and the Bed Status History screenautomatically appears on the graphical user interfacethereafter as shown, for example, in. The Bed Status History screenhas a left scroll arrowand a right scroll arrowthat are selected to scroll through Bed Status data that has been charted to the EMR system for the particular patient. If the Yes buttonwas selected on window, then screeninitially shows the data that has just been charted to the EMR systemalong with an associated date and time stamp. As arrows,are used to scroll to data that was charted at different times, the date and time stampchanges to match the date and time at which the particular data, which appears in bubbles,,,and fieldof partial bed indicia, was charted.